Nick Roumonada: Giving Back to CAF

Nick Roumonada, a dynamic 30-year-old triathlete, began working with the Challenged Athlete Foundation (CAF) when he was given a prosthetic running leg through their grants program. After learning about CAF’s rich history in supporting disabled athletes, Nick was motivated to participate in triathlons. His dedication to CAF comes from a place of personal experience. As a kid growing up with a disability, I accepted the fact that I just wouldn’t be able to do certain things that were athletic.” He adds, “CAF provides tools (adaptive sporting equipment) that gives me the opportunity to help make sure that no kid has to wait as long as I did to find out what their potential might be.”

Dedicated and inspiring, Nick is also an amiable guy with an ease about him that suggests he doesn’t take life too seriously. Responding to a question about what he would eat before a big race, he spoke openly, “I get a hard time from friends about my nutrition. I enjoy food, good beer and good wine. When I first started running, I was living in NYC. My standard pre-race meal was enjoyed at the Chinese place around the corner from my apartment in Spanish Harlem. I would get the house special, chow mein. I was really into getting all the sodium I could because there’s one thing I always do, and it’s sweat!”

“As a kid growing up with a disability, I accepted the fact that I just wouldn’t be able to do certain things that were athletic.” He adds, “CAF provides tools (adaptive sporting equipment) that gives me the opportunity to help make sure that no kid has to wait as long as I did to find out what their potential might be.”

Now that Nick lives in Seattle, he sticks to sushi and chicken pasta before a race. One of his favorite races is the Wildflower Triathlon held at Lake San Antonio in northern San Luis Obispo County. “I’ve done the long course (70.3 mi) three times now and every year it’s different.” The event is considered the “Woodstock of Triathlons” and is nearing its 40th year. Nick considers competitors at Wildflower “some of the best athletes in the sport, both on the bike and off.”

Now that Nick lives in Seattle, he sticks to sushi and chicken pasta before a race. One of his favorite races is the Wildflower Triathlon held at Lake San Antonio in northern San Luis Obispo County. “I’ve done the long course (70.3 mi) three times now and every year it’s different.” The event is considered the “Woodstock of Triathlons” and is nearing its 40th year. Nick considers competitors at Wildflower “some of the best athletes in the sport, both pro and amateur.” Nick also plans to attend the 2016 Ironman in Kona.

The training for a triathlon includes hours and miles of riding, running and swimming, and Nick loves all of it. When asked what he likes about the cycling aspect of training, he said, “I think it’s all about the challenge. Pushing myself harder, to go faster and farther. [The bike] allows me to just clip in and go, without even having a plan.” This year, he’s been getting more involved in the cycling side of the sport. Though running was Nick’s first love, he is fond of being able to travel or just “get away” on the bike. “Cycling suits me well,” he says. Nick recently signed with Giant Co. Factory Racing Team, so it looks like now he will be

Nick recently signed with Giant Co. Factory Racing Team, so it looks like now he will be spending more time on the bike. You can catch Nick on his Giant bike when he participates in CAF’s 625-mile fundraiser ride down the coast for the Million Dollar Challenge October 15-21 (last year they raised $1.7 million) and the San Diego Challenge on October 23 in La Jolla.

You can follow Nick and his adventures on his social media channels @RunNickRun and his website www.RunNickRun.com